This topic

OpenReach hoax calls

dahgigman — Wed, 17 Mar 2021 11:21:21 GMT

Received a call from Openreach today which seemed like a hoax, bumbling man called Max claiming I had a broadband issue and he could fix it. The call was from 01204416832. Ironically last week I had had a problem fixed by Openreach, begs the question whether the caller had access to the fault tracking database.

Usually such callers ask for you to go to the CMD prompt and so on presumably eventually getting control of your laptop, I never let it get that far. But this was different.

The caller was seemingly stalling for time, repeating questions, asking if I could hear him etc. I have since changed the Admin password on my hub.

Can anyone advise on what such a call could mean regarding my security?

Re: OpenReach hoax calls

licquorice — Wed, 17 Mar 2021 11:25:13 GMT

As long as you didn't give him access to your computer there are no security implications.

Re: OpenReach hoax calls

Andy_N — Wed, 17 Mar 2021 11:54:55 GMT

@dahgigmanwrote:
Received a call from Openreach today which seemed like a hoax, ......... Ironically last week I had had a problem fixed by Openreach, begs the question whether the caller had access to the fault tracking database.

You didn't receive a call from Openreach of course - and as there are a vast amount of similar calls going on, the caller didn't have any access to the database and would be a pure coincidence.

Re: OpenReach hoax calls

gspearson — Wed, 17 Mar 2021 12:01:44 GMT

Oddly that is a number that rings - they don't usually.

Re: OpenReach hoax calls

dahgigman — Wed, 17 Mar 2021 16:19:08 GMT

Ok, I never tried to call it back.

Re: OpenReach hoax calls

dahgigman — Wed, 17 Mar 2021 16:19:47 GMT

I put it down to coincidence but thought it worth the heads up

Re: OpenReach hoax calls

dahgigman — Wed, 17 Mar 2021 16:21:58 GMT

I didn't

Re: OpenReach hoax calls

Andy_N — Wed, 17 Mar 2021 16:22:42 GMT

@gspearsonwrote:
Oddly that is a number that rings - they don't usually.

Indeed.

The range 01204 41 is allocated to Virgin Media.

Re: OpenReach hoax calls

pottyperson — Wed, 17 Mar 2021 19:07:47 GMT

Given that scammers' numbers are randomly spoofed, it follows that some will be active, whether by accident or design. So the fact that a number happens to ring when called is immaterial (except to the holder, who is liable to receive some confusing calls).